Solent FutureScape – AI for Professional Services (Southampton, 24 March 2026)

AI+Us Alliance 2026: University of Southampton offers a day-long, hands-on AI literacy experience at Highfield Campus in Southampton. On 7 March 2026, from 10:00 to 17:00 GMT, participants will explore how to use AI to solve practical problems and work in small groups to apply new skills to real issues in the local area. This event is part of a nationwide AI+Us Alliance initiative led by AI@Southampton and supported by Responsible AI UK (RAi UK), designed to boost AI literacy and skills across academies, schools, educators and policymakers. Attendees will engage with interactive materials that foster critical thinking about algorithms, data literacy and sociotechnical impacts, helping communities understand AI’s real-world implications and contribute to a more responsible AI future. What to expect: - A full day of collaborative, hands-on activities focused on practical AI applications - Group work tackling local challenges related to carbon reduction, community wellbeing, and improving access to services for vulnerable groups - Interactive materials and activities aimed at building essential AI literacy and data reasoning skills - Opportunities to discuss ethical, social and policy considerations of deploying AI in real-world contexts Who should attend: - Educators, policymakers, students, and community organizers interested in AI literacy and responsible AI deployment - Attendees who want tangible, skills-based learning and a network of like-minded practitioners across the AI/NoCode/automation space Format and logistics: - Date and time: 7 March 2026, 10:00–17:00 GMT - Venue: Highfield Campus, University Road, Southampton - Bring a laptop, tablet or smartphone to access AI platforms online (wifi available on-site) - Registration closes Monday 1 March 2026; spaces are limited, so early sign-ups are advised - Photography may occur at the event unless you opt out with a staff member on the day Organisers and context: - Hosted by AI@Southampton as part of the AI+Us Alliance, with support from RAi UK (Responsible AI UK) - The Alliance is a nationwide effort to equip academies, schools, educators and policymakers with practical AI resources and literacy - The goal is to foster critical thinking about algorithms, data use, and sociotechnical aspects of AI, helping communities understand implications and shape a responsible AI-enabled future Registration: - Ready to join? Visit the event page to register: https://rai.ac.uk/events/aius-alliance-2026-universit

Get practical AI playbooks that deliver fast wins with live demos and no hype. The AI Playbook workshop at Barclays Eagle Lab Southampton guides SME leaders and teams through concrete, actionable steps to adopt AI responsibly and effectively. Taking place on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 9:30 AM at Network Eagle Lab - Southampton, this in-person session brings together Nick Carlile and the Olivia AI team, who’ve supported 59+ enterprises, with Damian Bemben, an expert in responsible AI. What you’ll learn: - Where AI drives the biggest impact across business functions (operations, marketing, finance, customer care, and beyond) - Quick wins you can implement immediately using accessible tools and workflows - Live AI demonstrations tailored to real industry challenges and opportunities - Bonus: a free AI tool worth £500+ for attendees - A focused segment: Using AI Responsibly — with Damian Bemben, covering guardrails, transparency, and practical tips for safe experimentation and responsible rollout What’s included: - Access to a free AI tool valued at £500+ - Practical frameworks, examples, and demo assets - Lite bites and refreshments - Networking with founders, business leaders, and tech specialists Who should attend: - SME leaders exploring AI for productivity and growth - Teams wanting practical examples, not just theory - Functions like operations, marketing, finance, and customer care looking for quick wins - Innovators who need a clear, responsible path to adoption Outcomes: - A prioritized action list you can start implementing from day one - Confidence to roll out AI responsibly and effectively, even with a non-technical background Registration and details: - Date/time: Wed 25 Mar 2026, 9:30 AM local time - Venue: Network Eagle Lab, Southampton - Tickets: via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-ai-playbook-fast-wins-real-demos-no-hype-duplicate-cancel-this-one-tickets-1982352905905 Spaces are limited—secure your spot today. Find more AI events in [Southampton](https://www.createwith.com/cities/southampton). Explore more [automation events](/directory/events?topic=automation).

Value-packed in-person meetup for tech leaders on the South Coast to cut through the AI hype and focus on real business outcomes. Stop chasing AI as a buzzword and start solving problems by identifying where AI actually fits your organisation. This Southampton-area event gives senior tech leaders a practical framework to evaluate AI opportunities, rather than skim the surface of hype. What you’ll get: - A clear two-part program: an expert talk on identifying business problems and where AI fits, followed by a focused short workshop to apply the ideas to real scenarios. - Real-world focus: leave with actionable steps to determine whether AI initiatives will deliver measurable value, or if a different approach is more appropriate. - Networking with peers: connect with fellow leaders from the South Coast technology community, share experiences, and explore potential collaborations. - A concrete in-person format: doors open at 6:30 pm, with talks starting at 7:00 pm and a 8:00–8:30 pm workshop, culminating in drinks and networking. Details: - Date and time: Thursday, 9 April 2026, 18:30–21:00 (BST) - Location: Clockwise Southampton - Coworking & Office Space, 1 Grosvenor Square, Southampton SO15 2JU, United Kingdom. In-person, all ages welcomed. - Organizer: Jon Martin presents South Coast Technology Leaders - What to expect: an engaging talk by Justin on identifying business problems and where AI fits, followed by a short workshop to apply the concepts to your context. Who should attend: - CTOs, CIOs, VP Engineering, engineering managers, and founders in the Southampton region looking to ground AI initiatives in practical business value. - Teams exploring AI adoption, automation opportunities, or no-code/low-code AI enablement to accelerate projects without hype. Why this matters: - In a landscape flooded with AI hype, attendees gain a disciplined approach to decide when AI is the right tool and how to design projects that deliver tangible impact. - The event emphasizes practical outcomes over buzzwords, helping you prioritise problems worth solving and measure progress effectively. Registration and more: - Registration is via Eventbrite. If you’re in the [Southampton](https://www.createwith.com/cities/southampton) area, this is a valuable opportunity to learn, discuss, and network with local peers. - Find more AI and automation events in [London](https://www.createwith.com/cities/london) or search for more [automation events](/directory/events?topic=aut

Why attend this workshop? If you’re exploring how AI technologies intersect with law, policy and social equity, this is a rare, rigorous, cross-disciplinary space to interrogate the equality impacts of AI systems and to discuss practical frameworks for more inclusive governance. The one-day event at the University of Southampton brings together scholars and practitioners to examine where AI can reduce harm and where it may inadvertently reproduce or worsen social inequality, with a strong emphasis on rights-based, participatory approaches to AI design and regulation. What to expect: - A critical, research-informed program addressing algorithmic biases across contexts such as policing, healthcare, immigration welfare systems, and workplace governance by algorithmic management. - Deliberations on current and emerging legal and regulatory responses to AI harms, with an emphasis on inclusivity, accountability, and governance. - Cross-disciplinary discussions that connect technology, law, policy, and social justice, aiming to develop practical strategies for designing AI systems that respect rights and promote equality. Speakers and contributors: The event features notable researchers and practitioners including Vanessa Ho (Queen Mary University London), Monique Munarini (University of Pisa), Anastasia Karagianni (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Tsachi Keren-Paz and Maria Tzanou (University of Sheffield), Holli Sargeant (St John’s College, Cambridge), and Raphaële Xenidis (Sciences Po Law School). These confirmed voices will anchor plenaries and give attendees a concrete sense of how academic insights translate into policy and practice. Call for Papers (CfP): The organisers invite abstract submissions up to 500 words to scclaw@soton.ac.uk. The CfP closes with a deadline of 5 January 2026, and acceptances are communicated by the end of January. This reflects a collaborative, scholarly approach, encouraging contributions from diverse disciplines. Logistics and funding: There is no attendance fee for the workshop. Limited travel and accommodation support may be available for participants who lack institutional funds. Interested contributors should email the conference organising committee for details on eligibility and travel arrangements. Organisers: Research Centre for Law and Technology and Stefan Cross Centre for Women, Equality and Law, University of Southampton. For more information, visit the event page at the official site and consider submitting an abst